5 reasons the second half of the season matters for Golden State

Finalizing their soon-to-be shortened rotation

The roster will be shortened once the postseason hits. It’s a universal fact that the vast majority of teams cut their rotation down to about eight players. For Golden State, who doesn’t make the cut?

Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, based solely on their experience, will be key contributors off the bench. Players like Quinn Cook and Alfonzo McKinnie can also give meaningful minutes while Kevon Looney has also proven to be an efficient scoring option.

What does Kerr do then? Should he leave his ten-man rotation intact or should he opt to use these last 25 games as a testing ground for who snags the last few spots? In my opinion, Kerr should keep the hot hand coming off the bench.

While the postseason may define who is hot and who is not, the home stretch of the season will be what gives Kerr the confidence to give shooters that chance.

Cook has been a confident threat all season long yet likely won’t get much time in the postseason. He’ll likely be cut unless he can do something to prove his value in these last 25 games. Alfonzo McKinnie might also not see much time.

These last 25 games are for those players to differentiate themselves and find a way to contribute in fewer minutes.